Seattle University head volleyball coach James Finley has announced the hiring of Nikola (Nick) Petrovic as associate head coach and Dan Ahiers as assistant coach for the Redhawk program.
Petrovic was an assistant coach under Finley at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) starting in March 2011, overseeing both domestic and international recruiting as well as designing and implementing practices, scouting opponents and analyzing video, and assisting in player development, among other duties. Petrovic has also been an assistant coach at Temple University, Alabama-Birmingham, Barton County Community College, and Northwood University as well as a head coach at Garden City Community College in Kansas from March 2006 to September 2010.
Petrovic, who will oversee international recruiting, has directed volleyball camps at Northwood University, Garden City Community College, and the University of Colorado since March 2001, plus he has been a coach at camps hosted by Ball State, LSU, Texas, and Kansas State. He was the head coach and camp director for the Red Star Volleyball Club, a professional club in Europe, from 1993 to 2000. A setter for the Zeleznicar Professional Volleyball Club for five years, Petrovic graduated from the University of Belgrade in May 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education.
“Seattle U hit a home run with the hiring of Nick Petrovic. His energy and work ethic alone would help any program succeed. Nick brings a wealth of knowledge in training, player development, and team strategies while possessing a special skill that brings the best out of players,” Finley said.
Ahiers joins the Redhawks after spending the past three seasons as the top assistant at UC Santa Barbara. At UCSB, Ahiers served as the defensive coordinator and coached the outside hitters. Ahiers also served as the recruiting coordinator and assisted in all areas of the program including the training and development of the team, scouting opponents, coordinating travel and overseeing the team's community outreach programs.
Ahiers also works with Gold Medal Squared Camps and has also previously coached for numerous camp and club teams. He has been an assistant coach at Monterey Peninsula College and Cal State Monterey Bay. He will be in charge of domestic recruiting for the Redhawk program.
“Dan is a great addition to our program and department. He is a proven recruiter, communicator and possesses that great work ethic and passion every program needs,” said Finley. “We are thrilled that Dan is here to contribute his talents and ability to build relationships to this new era of Seattle U Volleyball.”
The Seattle University volleyball team will begin its spring season in April to prepare for its second year in the Western Athletic Conference in the fall of 2013.